Have you ever felt bewildered by modern society and what passes for normal? We live in a society that has strayed far from our natural way of being and pushed us into an all you can eat culture that is leading to social, ecological, and political crisis.

What if it doesn’t have to be like this? How might it look to begin doing things differently—collectively creating a shift towards a sane and healthy civilization? And what if we already have all we need to take the first (and next) steps on this new and transformative journey?

As I see it, the cornerstone of modern sickness is a fundamental belief in separation and division: the idea that one person or group of people can be superior to others and look after their own interests at the expense of others and of nature. We were warned of the folly of this type of thinking over two and a half thousand years ago! Taoist master Lao Tzu said:

Earth is a divine organism
it cannot be successfully manipulated

Who attempts manipulation will encounter defeat
Who seeks possession will suffer loss

Let’s try a little thought experiment: Imagine a world where everyone is kind and giving, and there is no discrimination, hatred, violence, dishonesty, or poverty. I’m not talking about utopia, there are still storms, floods, earthquakes, illness, and death, it is just that people behave differently. In this imaginary world, humanity has reached a new stage of development where everyone sees that we are all inseparably connected—we are, in fact, All One. We are all Love. Everyone feels free to be fully, authentically, and lovingly themselves. People act with awareness of the needs and happiness of others: all are compassionate and giving, and in giving they receive. Each person does what they do best, just because they can. Together they create all that is needed for a good life.

Taoist philosophers speak of a time before the Great Separation—a time when we all knew our Oneness in Love and had not yet imagined ourselves separate from the whole! Ancient master Zhuangzi, c. 369––286, had this to say about it:

Before the Great Separation
People lived spontaneously,
as deer in the forest.
They did not think of themselves
as honest or benevolent
because there were none
who were not so.

The Dalai Lama advised,

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

And Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh siad,

Your happiness is my happiness.

We are all one, and in oneness it makes sense to be inherently loving, compassionate, and giving. There is scientific evidence that giving has physiological as well as psychological benefits. For example, when we help someone, or offer a gift, our brain secretes feel good chemicals: serotonin, which lifts mood; dopamine, which gives a sense of pleasure; and oxytocin, which is associated with feelings of connection and love.

Other benefits of helping others include reducing stress and blood pressure, giving us a sense of purpose, combating depression, and contributing to a longer, healthier life. Studies have found that people who engage in voluntary work tend to live longer than those who don’t! How amazing is that?

Kindness makes us feel better about ourselves, too, giving us greater feelings of worthiness and confidence. Rick Hanson refers to this as the ‘bliss of blamelessness.’ When the benefits of love in action are so clear, compassion and generosity must be a fundamental part of our being. Yes, we also have a capacity for harmful behavior when we feel threatened or unsafe, and, our baseline for good health is loving kindness. I’m not suggesting we become doormats or allow ourselves to be taken advantage of, only that we allow ourselves to listen to our hearts a little more.

The wonderful thing is that the more of us who come to understand the benefits of living as if everyone matters, the easier it will become for others to get it, too. And the more we practice compassion and kindness, the more compassion and kindness there will be in society. It doesn’t have to be anything big, simply showing appreciation for others is an act of compassion, we can also consider checking in on someone who lives alone, offering help with shopping or dog walking, paying for the next customer’s coffee at a cafe. All of these things enter the collective consciousness, add to the energy of love in society, and help to bring about the change we would like to see.

Every gesture of kindness is a step in the evolution of humanity. We all have different ways to contribute.

To this end, I am experimenting with a conscious contributions system for my work. Whether it is for coaching, courses, or meditation groups there is no set fee, people are free to offer according to their means and their hearts. And I am doing this from my heart, which is currently the only wealth I have!